title: Occurrence of surfactants in wastewater: hourly and seasonal variations in urban and industrial wastewaters from Seville (Southern Spain).
abstract: Surfactants are daily discharged to the environment from urban and industrial activities. The assessment of the risk derived from the presence of these compounds in the environment requires a deep knowledge about their sources and their distribution in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, in spite of several studies reporting their presence in WWTPs, only a small number is focused on their different sources. In this work, the distribution of anionic (linear alkylbenzene sulfonates) and non-ionic (nonylphenol ethoxylates) surfactants in WWTPs and in urban and industrial wastewater collection systems has been investigated. Seasonal and daily variability was also assessed. Concentrations of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates in influent and effluent wastewaters ranged from 1155 to 9200 μg L(-1), and from below limit of detection to 770 μg L(-1), respectively, whereas the concentrations of nonylphenol ethoxylates were significantly lower. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates were efficiently removed (>96%), while mean removal rates of nonylphenol ethoxylates were significantly lower (<20%). Studies carried out in different seasons revealed seasonal discharge patterns from both urban and industrial activities. The analysis of wastewater collection systems showed a major contribution of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates from urban areas while, in the case of nonylphenol ethoxylates, their major contribution came from industrial activities. In all cases the discharge patterns of surfactants were related with the water consumption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Escuela Politécnica Superior, University of Seville, C/Virgen de África 7, E-41011 Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Camacho-Muñoz
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.forename: Juan Luís
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aparicio
authors.forename: Esteban
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alonso
mesh_terms: D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000838:Anions / Q000032:analysis; D057919:Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002947:Cities; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D017553:Phosphorus Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D012621:Seasons; D013030:Spain; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D013997:Time Factors; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids; D000838:Anions; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D009584:Nitrogen; D017553:Phosphorus Compounds; D011188:Potassium; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C030641:alkylbenzyl sulfonic acid
keywords: Discharge pattern; Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates; Nonylphenol ethoxylates; Wastewater